Bobby Ray Rutledge, passed away at the age of 77 at Laurelhurst Village in SE Portland on April 1, 2020. Bobby was born on January 23, 1943 in Princeton, MO. He graduated from Van Horn High School, Independence, MO in 1961. Continuing his education at the Central Bible college in St. Louis, MO where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry.
Bob pastored from 1966-1977 in Gaylord and Bay City, Michigan. During this time he was Ordained as an Assemblies of God Minister. From there Bobby moved to Boise, Idaho where he started working for Nalley’s Fine Foods as a Sales Representative. Quickly converting to Sales Manager which opened up opportunities in Portland.
Somewhere between 1978-79 Bobby moved to Portland, OR full time to be the Key Account Manager for Nalley’s. This is around the time he met his wife Thelma. From 1979-83 Bobby worked for Nalley’s while he helped start a new church outreach program in Beaverton, OR. The church started in a Public Grade School and is now meeting in their new building, “Sunrise Christian Fellowship.” Bobby and his wife Thelma were married June 20, 1981. Bobby had two boys and his wife Thelma had four daughters and one son, all making one big family.
In 1983 Bobby was offered a promotion to work with Tom’s Foods as a District Manager of Sales in Overland Park, Kansas. From 1983-87 Bobby and his wife Thelma were active members at the Johnson County Christian Church. Bobbie's parents and sister lived in Independence, MO which allowed them to spend more time with his family, and be close during those years.
Bobby and his wife Thelma then moved to Fresno, CA in 1987 with Tom’s Foods, but after being asked to move again Bobby took a job with Prudential. Where he worked as an Insurance Representative and District Manager till 1997. During this time Bobby and Thelma took the Evangelism Explosion training at Fresno Christian and People’s Church. Equipping them to teach classes of about 100 followers themselves for about three years. Then continued to teach principles and concepts in small groups at Sunday School classes.
Bob never met a stranger that he could not talk to and share the word of God with. He loved to teach The Word of God to others. When he was promoted to District Manager Bobby and his wife Thelma moved to Salinas in 1994. In Salinas they joined the First Presbyterian Church of Salinas. Where they helped to develop a young adult ministry called “Home Builders” which focused on family life and discipleship. At this church Bobby was given the opportunity to preach during pulpit ministry and special speaking ministry engagements. It was great for Bobby! One of the last Sermons he gave was “Are you using miracle grow?”
Bob retired from preaching in 1997 and he and his wife moved back to Portland, OR where Thelma still lives today. Bobby and his wife Thelma had a wonderful, adventurous life together. Bobby loved The Lord and loved sharing it with others.
Bobby is survived by his wife Thelma Rutledge, sister Bonnie and her husband Claude Cowan and their daughter Shawna Cowan. Sons Roger Smith, Jon and Ben Rutledge, daughters Sherry, Silva, Valerie and Ralene, 14 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Bobby is preceded in death by his parents Raymond Edward Rutledge and Violet Pauline Shockey, and his grandson Michael Hayes. Who he has now joined in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Eulogy From Marlon Furtado
Yesterday (Wednesday) an elderly friend of mine, and a man who was loved by our church, died from the COVED-19. Bobby was always positive, full of proverbial sayings. One that I remember is, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.” Bobby lived by that wisdom, even as a few years ago dementia began stealing bits of his memory.
Bobby didn’t live for the rewards and applause of this world. He lived to please Jesus. He lived with his gaze fixed on Heaven, where He would join other Christ-followers and spend eternity with Jesus. Bobby wasn't satisfied that he was guaranteed a home in Heaven; his passion was to help others experience a love-relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He taught Bible classes and evangelism courses to better equip the church to carry out the Great Commission, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18–20)
When Bobby needed more care and supervision than his wife, Thelma, could provide, he was moved to a care facility in Portland. Thelma visited him often. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, though, the care facility would not allow her to visit Bobby in his final days. She knows that she’ll again see Bobby in Heaven, but not being at his bedside when he passed is the source of much of her grief. Please be in prayer for Thelma.
Let’s continue Bobby’s passion of having others presented with the life-changing message that Jesus Christ died for our sin, came back to life three days later, and now offers eternal life as a gift. “For the WAGES of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Whether or not you know someone battling COVID-19, everyone is being personally affected by this pandemic. It is a time to reevaluate the source of security in our lives. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)
Bobby’s treasure was his relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s follow his example!
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